Timing mechanism



Apri] 20 1937 E, J. LAUTERBUR ET AL 29077,@3

TIMING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 22, 1933 'J ATTORN E YS o PatentedApr. 2U, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMING MECHANISM OhioApplication September 22, 1933, Serial No. 690,588 Renewed September 10,1936 Claims.

The invention relates broadly to a time-mechanism for the control of aseries of motors or circuits by a single or by a multiple series of timemechanisms each of which come in to ac- 5 tion to control a motor or acircuit at a predetermined time and for a period of time, whose lengthis also predetermined, and this constitutes the primary object of theinvention.

It is also possible by the system to control a two speed motor operatinga single mechanism or series thereof, so as to run the motor at a slowspeed for a predetermined length of time, then at the end of saidperiod, increase the speed for a predetermined length of time.

The objects of the invention will be more fully set forth hereinafter orwill be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the followingspecifications in which there is set forth an exemplary embodimentcomprising two time mechanisms set up in accordance with the invention.Reference is made to the drawing which forms a part hereof, and whichshows a time control system in accordance with the invention, in whichthe time control mechanism is of the spring operated clock type, thoughany type of self-starting electric clock mechanism may be substitutedwith proper changes in the means for starting the succeeding electrictime control unit. 'Ihe employment of a mercury tube or similar type ofswitch, which would start into action the succeeding time controlmechanism when desired is exemplary of modications which may be made inthe invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

The purpose of the timer mechanism in the embodiment shown is completelyto control the operation of a standard high speed mixer withoutattention from the operator. The circuits are arranged to include themotor, a two-speed A0 automatic starter which may be either of theconsequent pole or double wound type, push button safety cut-outswitches and the timer itself.

Reference is now made to the drawing which forms a part of thespeciiication, it being understood that the showing in the drawing is apreferred form, and that numerous other forms of time mechanisms may beused.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan View with parts in section of one form of timingmechanism.

Figure 2 is a vertical section with a portion broken away, of one formof timing mechanism taken on the section line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of one form of timing mechanism.

There is shown in the drawing a time control mechanism of the springclock type. There is shown at 8 a spring clock mechanism capable of suchsetting by the key or pointer 30, that at a predetermined time it willoperate a shaft 9 upon which is mounted a switch operating lever l0.When it is desired to start the system into operation, the clockmechanism 8 is set by means of the pointer 30 for the duration of theperiod of time, as indicated on the dial 3|, required for the firstoperation.

In the practice of the invention as shown in the drawing, there isemployed two time control mechanisms each arranged to operate a switchor series of switches whereby electric circuits are made or broken. Itis to be understood that the two mechanisms 8 and I2 are practicallyidentical, and therefore like parts bear like reference numerals. Amechanical or other connection is arranged between the time controlmechanisms so that at the end of the cycle of the first to operate, thesecond is set in motion whereby a predetermined cycle of operations maybe controlled by it following that cycle which was controlled by the rstmechanism. There are certain advantages inherent in providing two ormore mechanisms among which may be mentioned the fact that an operationA may be omitted by omitting to set the particular time controlmechanism which governs -the cycle of the said operation; a series oftime control mechanisms are set for different operations which makes thesetting less complicated than would be the case if a cycle mechanismwere set to control a plurality of operations; the settings, being madeupon different time control mechanisms, are properly indicated thereonand may be checked up during the operation of the mechanism; iinally,time control mechanisms governing the operation of succeeding cycles maybe set during the following of a preceding cycle.

The timing mechanisms used in the preferred form comprise the main shaft33 of a timing clock, to which one end of the main spring 34 isattached. The other end of this spring 34 is fixed to a standard in theusual manner. There is the usual escapement and train of gears to timethe rotation of this main shaft 33. The shaft 33 projects out throughthe face of the clock and has a pointer or turning portion 30 fastenedto it. There is the usual gear 40 journaled rotatably to the shaft 33which carries the pawl 35. The ratchet part 4I of the winding means isfrictionally journaled to the shaft 33 so that when the clock is woundby turning the pointer 38, the spring 34 is coiled; and when the pointer30 is released, this spring 34 rotates the pointer 30 back toward theplace from which it started. However, due to the frictional or clutchaction of the ratchet in relation to the shaft 33, it is possible toreverse the turn of the pointer 30, and thus the pointer may be placedat any position. 'Ine face of the clock has a dial 3| divided off intominutes. From the above description of the workings of the clock, it isapparent that the pointer 30 may be positioned at any point on the dial,and when the pointer 30 is released, the spring 34 will return thepointer to the point marked zero, in timed relation, due to theescapement on the clock. The shaft 33 has an arm I8 fastened to andprojecting from it. On the end of this arm is a pin Illa, which, withthe turning of the shaft, slips into the Y-shaped socket 42 of thetoggle or snap switch 36. This, in turn, as the shaft 33 moves further,throws the switch. 'I'he placing of this arm and switch is such thatwith the setting of the clock, the switch is thrown one way, and whenthe pointer reaches the zero mark on the dial, the switch is thrownback. Thus, when the pointer is set the switch is opened, and when thepointer, after the given time, dependent on the position it has been setin relation to the dial, returns to zero, the switch will be closed.Both the clocks 8 and I2 are exactly the same as described above. Theonly difference is in the starting mechanism as heretofore stated, boththe clocks must be selfstarting.

On the shaft 9 of the clock 8, which is the first clock in theprogressive series, is a cam 31a, with a flat portion 31. This cam abutsthe end I8a of the arm I8, which is pivoted on an outside support andwhich has an opposite end portion I8b. This portion carries an edgewhich will be forced between the teeth of one of the gears on the clockI2, and thus will prevent the clock I2 from running, although thepointer 32 is set. The spring I9 prevents the edge I8b from stopping theclock I2 unless the end I8a is depressed by the cam 31a on the shaft ofthe clock 8. This cam 31a is so arranged on the shaft 33 that the flatportion of the cam 31 will only be presented to the end I8a of the leverI8 when the clock 8 is at the zero position. Therefore, it is apparentthat when the clock 8 and the clock I2 are set, the lever prevents theclock I2 from running; and when the pointer on clock 8 has reached zero,besides throwing the switch as heretofore described, it will also movethe lever I8 and permit the clock I2 to start. Of course, from the abovedescription it is apparent that the second clock in the series may bemade to release a third clock, and so on indefinitely, by the provisionof another member I8 between the second and third clocks, and theprovision of another cam 31a upon the shaft 33 of the second clock. Itwill also be apparent that the switch which is thrown by the arm I8 maybe a double switch, or may be a number of switches arranged to be thrownby the same arm. 'Ihe clocks and their parts are not a part cf theinvention, noi` are the switches and their method of operation by theclocks; but the trigger or lever I8, which is thrown, and which releasesthe succeeding clock, is the very gist of the invention.

Figure l of the drawing shows the two clocks 8 and I2 with the dials setat some indicia, and

since the clock 8 is not at zero, the clock I2 is not permitted to move.'Ihe effect of this construction is that the clock I2 (the succeedingclock) is not permitted to start until the first clock 8 has run itsgiven or set length of time and the switch has been thrown. Projectingpins 38 may be provided, against which the ends of the pointers of thekeys 30 and 32 abut, so that the different clocks will stop as soon astheir switches, etc., have been thrown.

The setting of clock mechanism 8 closes circuits 2 and 1 of theelectrical circuit and leaves circuits 3 and 4 open. A second springoperated clock mechanism I2 is now set for the time duration of thesecond operation by means of the pointer 32 and dial 3| a. The settingof the second time control unit I2, closes the circuits 5 and 6 and atthe end of the time duration as set on the clock I 2, the circuits 5 and6 are opened and the circuits I4 and I5 are closed.

I- Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l.. In a cyclical controlling mechanism, a plurallty of time mechanismsarranged in sequence, and capable of being independently set for apredetermined cycle of time mechanisms having controlling means, meansimpinging on the mechanism of the succeeding time mechanism so as toprevent its starting, and means on the preceding time mechanism toremove said impinging means from the succeeding mechanism at thecompletion of the cycle of the preceding time mechanism.

2. In a cyclical controlling mechanism, a preceding and succeeding selfstarting time mechanism capable of being independently set for apredetermined cycle of operation, each of time mechanisms havingcontrolling means, a pivoted lever, one end of which impinges on the.mechanism of the succeeding` time mechanism and prevents it fromstarting, means on the preceding time mechanismito rock said lever whensaid preceding time mechanism has completed its cycle, said rockingofsaid lever releasing the mechanism of saidy succeeding time mechanism sothat it will start on its cycle of operation.

3. In a cyclicalA controlling mechanism, a preceding and succeeding selfstarting time mechanism capable of being independently set for apredetermined cycle of operation, each of said time mechanisms havingcontrolling means, a pivoted lever, one end of which impinges on themechanism of the succeeding time mechanism and prevents it fromstarting, the other end of the pivoted lever resiliently forced againsta circular cam having a flattened portion positioned on the shaft of thepreceding time mechanism, the flattened portion of said circular cambeing so positioned in regard to the shaft of the preceding timemechanism that it will present itself to the lever end when the cycle ofoperation of the time mechanism has been completed, whereby thecompletion of the cycle of operation of the preceding time mechanismwill permit the lever to move and release the mechanism of thesucceeding time mechanism, and thus permit it to start.

4. In a cyclical controlling mechanism, a preceding and succeeding timemechanism comprising self starting clock mechanisms capable of being setfor a predetermined time of running, switches operated by said clockmechanisms when their predetermined time of running has been completed,removable means for preventing operation, each of saidf 10 apredetermined time of running, each of said time mechanisms havingcontrolling means,

means' connecting said time mechanisms and actuated by said precedingtime mechanism to prevent said succeeding time mechanism from runningwhen said preceding time mechanism is running.

EDWARD J. LAUTERBUR. FRANK X. LAUTERBUR,

Deceased, By WILHELMINA S. LAUTERBUR,

Ercecutri.

